June 18, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: A grand slam for Brentz and a walk-off for Witte
6/18 Cup of Coffee: The PawSox split a doubleheader as both Jantzen Witte and Bryce Brentz (pictured) hit big home runs. Rafael Devers also went deep for Portland, while both Salem and Greenville will be going down to the wire in their playoff chases.
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A walk-off home run from Jantzen Witte completed the comeback for the PawSox. They did not have a hit entering the seventh inning, but a Steve Selsky single followed by a Bryce Brentz double tied the game, and Witte won it with his second home run of the season. Kyle Kendrick allowed only one run over five innings, and Noe Ramirez picked up the victory with three scoreless innings, striking out three.
A grand slam from Brentz was not enough as a rough start from Marcus Walden was too much to overcome. Walden allowed seven runs on eight hits over three innings, and this was the first time he allowed multiple runs in an appearance since May 16. Brentz went 2 for 3 including his 13th home run, and Dan Butler went 2 for 3 with a solo home run. Brandon Workman threw three scoreless innings, and SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall tweeted that Workman's fastball was up to 94 mph as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.
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Rafael Devers launched his third home run in four games, but the RubberDucks came away with the victory. It was the only hit of the day for Devers who now has 13 home runs on the season. Kevin McAvoy was hit hard, allowing six runs on eight hits over four innings. William Jerez was able to stop the bleeding with three shutout innings as he logged his third straight scoreless appearance.
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Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC) vs. Salem Red Sox, PPD (Rain)
Saturday's game was rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 12:35 p.m. With Lynchburg's victory, Salem is only a half-game up in the division going into the final day of the first half. Lynchburg will be playing one game on Sunday while Salem is playing two.
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With Columbia also losing last night, the Drive remain a half-game back with one game to play in the first-half. Robby Sexton was hit hard, surrendering six runs, five earned, over 3 1/3 innings. The Drive were never able to come back despite collecting 10 hits. Tucker Tubbs and Nick Lovullo each went 2 for 4, with Lovullo adding a double. Tyler Hill was only on base once but stole his 20th base, extending his system-wide lead in that category.
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Four pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout, led by Rayniel Moreno who went the first six innings, striking out five. Moreno lowered his ERA to 1.15 as he has been one of the top performers on the DSL team this season. Geraldo Perez struck out three over 1 2/3 innings, and Antonio Police tossed a scoreless ninth. The Red Sox had 14 hits, all singles, with Alexander Martinez adding two of them as he raised his average to .452.
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Player of the Night: A grand slam from Bryce Brentz is the latest chapter in the outfielder's scorching June. Brentz now has nine home runs over his last 23 games, with 14 walks and 14 strikeouts over his last 80 at-bats. Brentz is hitting .345 in June as he continued to lead the PawSox offense.
Photo Credit Bryce Brentz by Kelly O'Connor